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Sun Devil Tradition In Arizona Fall League Continues In 2001

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Former Arizona State Sun Devil baseball players Ryan Bradley (1995-97) and Pat Listach (1988) will carry on the tradition of a consistent strong representation by the ASU baseball program in the Arizona Fall League. Widely considered the proving grounds for top major league baseball prospects, the league features six teams around the Valley with the 2001 season beginning October 2.

Bradley, who will play with the Peoria Javelinas in 2001, was an All-American under current head coach Pat Murphy from 1995-97. Bradley was 14-12 on the mound in his Sun Devil career and is listed fourth in the ASU record books with 16 saves. After signing with the New York Yankees after being taken as the 40th overall selection in the 1997 MLB draft, Bradley has risen quickly in the Yankee system, surfacing in the Major Leagues after only a year in the minor leagues. Bradley was 2-1 with a 5.68 ERA for the World Champion Yankees. Bradley spent the 2001 season between Single-A Tampa and Double-A Norwich where he was a combined 7-6. Bradley also played in the AFL in 2000 with Maryvale Saguaros.

Listach, who hit .313 with 19 doubles and five home runs in his only year as a Sun Devil (1988), is one of 12 coaches or managers in the Arizona Fall League in 2001 that used to play professional baseball. Listach is currently the hitting coach for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast League and will manage the Mesa Solar Sox this fall. Listach was the 1992 American League Rookie of the Year and spent six seasons in the major leagues with Milwaukee and Houston.

Five former Sun Devils, Bradley, Willie Bloomquist, Mark Ernster, Ryan Mills and Dan McKinley played in the Arizona Fall League last year.